Jewelry has different meanings from a token of love to an heirloom. No matter what kind of jewelry you want to buy and give, selecting the best pieces can be tricky. This article offers advice on all aspects of jewelry ownership.
Use a polishing cloth for all of your jewelry pieces. This easy technique can make your jewelry bright and shiny without the use of harsh solvents and chemicals. Buff your jewelry with the two-sided cloth, just as if you were cleaning a glass. Use the one side designated for polish, and the other for making it shine.
Take a polishing cloth to each piece of jewelry in your collection. This will allow your jewelry to shine without using chemicals. You use the special cloth to polish your jewelry just like you would polish your silverware. Use the side of the cloth that is designed for polishing to remove fingerprints, dust and other surface imperfections, and then use the opposite side to buff the jewelry and make it gleam.
Don’t use things that contain harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, acetone or turpentine, to clean your jewelry. Doing so can damage the shine and luster of the stones on your favorite pieces.
Silver Jewelry
Be cautious of storing all of your pieces of jewelry together. For best results, separate different pieces into different boxes, compartments or hooks. Jewelry should not be lumped together in a pile. Not only will your necklaces become hopelessly tangled, you risk harming any fragile pieces as they bump and scrape against each other as you search the box.
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. You can tell if a piece of silver is sterling or not by using a magnet. Sterling will not react to the magnet, but non-precious metals will be attracted. Also, look to make sure that silver is hallmarked and stamped with .925, sterling or ster. Silver jewelry that lacks a hallmark may be a fake or composed of other metals.
Arm yourself with a magnet and a magnifying glass when shopping for sterling silver jewelry. Take the magnet with you to find fake pieces of jewelery, sterling silver will not stick to the magnet. You can identify sterling silver by its markings, for example “sterling,” “ster,” or “.925.” If you cannot find a stamp, you might be looking at a cheap imitation.
Do some research on the gem in your new piece of jewelry before you buy. The three types are imitation, synthetic and natural. Imitation gems are made out of glass or plastic; natural and synthetic gems both consist of real gemstone. Synthetic gems come from a lab and natural ones are found in the ground.
Do they prefer to wear over-sized pieces or more delicate styles? Yellow gold or silver? Doing this will provide a good basis for where you should begin so that you can purchase a special piece for that special someone.
Costume Jewelry
You need to pay attention to care and maintenance if you intend to build up a costume jewelry collection. Even though it is not as expensive as its precious counterpart, costume jewelry represents a significant investment, one that can be lost if the pieces are allowed to get worn and broken. Make sure you have a piece that is in excellent condition, because this will be a lot more fruitful for you down the road.
If you want to collect costume jewelry, concentrate on getting quality peices. Collecting costume jewelry can get expensive, but it is also an investment worth your time, so avoid any pieces that have too many flaws. Maintaining a piece of costume jewelry’s condition preserves the beauty and value that attracted you in the first place.
Before you buy, ask if the gemstone has been treated, and the method for doing so. You will need to know what type of care it might require as a result of the treatment. Some cleaning solutions that work perfectly well on untreated gems can strip off treatments, and even damage stones, if you use them on treated gems.
You should wear the jewelry for a few days to see how it feels and if it is comfortable. You can also make a better estimate of the jewelry’s durability after trying it out.
Before you purchase a new piece of fine jewelry, think about how you will wear it. You should not have a lot of jewelery that you are never going to put on. Think about what type of clothing you will wear with the jewelry before deciding what to buy.
Research the proper methods for cleaning your jewelry. Different metals, stones, and settings have different needs to ensure proper maintenance. What works for one piece of jewelry could dull or damage another. For the best information on how to look after your jewelry, you should talk to a jeweler.
The shape and shine of a diamond means more than the size. Remember to think about the personality and style of the woman you’re getting the diamond for.
If you’re shopping for an individual who likes unique pieces of jewelry, you should consider purchasing an item that is made specifically for this person. Purchasing a unique piece that matches his or her personality demonstrates how thoughtful and creative you are. This is what you should be expressing to someone you love enough to purchase jewelry for.
This rule applies to dry saunas as well as steam ones. This is because the extreme heat and moisture can cause serious problems to the piece.
Look for sales when you want to buy some new jewelry. Jewelry sales can save you a significant amount of cash. Watch for sales in the newspaper, on the Internet, and even in the stores themselves. Sometimes, buying fashions that are out of style can save you more than half of their original price.
Buying jewelry just because it is a name brand is not a good idea. Not may people notice trendy names or brands in jewelry. If the salesperson tries to push a certain brand in you, they probably paid too much for the item as well. There are excellent quality jewelry pieces from various brands.
Be careful when untangling your delicate necklaces. Don’t be tempted to give up on the tangled metal. It’s plastic wrap to the rescue. Put the chain on the wrap, then pour on a bit of mineral oil or baby oil. You can use needles to unravel them. Wash them using dish soap, and then pat dry them.
If you do decide to purchase an expensive item of jewelry, try to choose a piece that won’t become outdated and can be worn for years ahead. While expensive normally equates to great quality, bear in mind that styles will change in the future. Something that is cool and trendy now might not look so stylish in a couple of years. Look for pieces that have a timeless character.
Before you purchase a new piece of fine jewelry, think about how you will wear it. There is nothing worse than a box full of unloved jewelry. Think about what type of clothing you will wear with the jewelry before deciding what to buy.
Crystal or onyx stones both stand out and make bold statements. By being nicer to your wallet, you may get better results.
A diamond’s cut and clarity may be more attractive than its size. You must think of the person who will be wearing the jewelry.
Never pair an ornate jewelry piece with a busy or fussy outfit. Wear something that will keep attention focused on your jewelry, such as a simple, solid-color outfit like the reliable “little black dress.”
This goes for any type of sauna, whether it’s the dry type or the steam type. The reason for this is that the heat and the moisture can taint the jewelry and cause problems.
A beautiful stone that many do not know about is Alexandrite. The stone’s color can change from shades of green to purple, depending on the light. Alexandrite is mostly found in rings, earrings, and pendants.
Don’t swim wearing your jewelry. Chlorine can damage the life and luster of your jewelry. Salt water can also degrade jewelry. Take off your jewelry before swimming to ensure that it lasts as long as possible before you have to replace it.
It is important to stick to your designated budget when you are out jewelry shopping. There is no reason to take on debt because of a shiny ring or fancy necklace. When just starting out, a young couple might be better served getting a cheaper ring. Then, they can upgrade it when they have achieved a little more financial wherewithal.
When buying jewelry, you should not buy something only because of the brand. Not only is most jewelry not brand-recognizable, but you are also going to pay more just for the name. There are many different manufacturers, that make high quality jewelry, without the huge markup for the brand name.
To maintain the integrity of the setting, only use a slightly damp cloth to gently clean the piece. Gently dry the piece with a soft cloth. Don’t ever use steam cleaners or any kind of harsh chemicals on costume or fashion jewelry.
When looking to purchase a considerably expensive jewelry piece, purchase an item that will stay with you for a lifetime. Quality of the design is not the only thing you should analyze when purchasing expensive items. You also need to determine if you are going still going to want to wear the item in the future. Although the piece might be in style right now, it might be considered passe in just a few years. Choose a classic, timeless piece.
If you want to sell a piece of fine jewelry, take it to either a certified appraiser or a master gemologist. This ensures that have an accurate and substantiated claim of the item’s value, which makes it much easier to determine an appropriate selling price.
If you’re going to wear gaudy jewelry, don’t wear a gaudy outfit to match. This type of jewelry is best complemented by solid clothing, including the basic “little black dress.”
If you like wearing multiple rings, you should take care of your hands. To keep the focus on your pretty rings and not your unkempt hands, keep your nails manicured or at least trimmed and buffed and use hand creams to keep your skin soft and supple.
Jewelry that has been cared for properly retains its sentimental and economic value. Properly caring for your jewelry is crucial to preserving it and any attached memories. There is more to it than what you’ve read here, and continuing to learn can help you mazimize the wear and value of all your jewelry pieces for years to come.
If you see an expensive designer piece that you love, wait to find a less expensive version. Most designer styles are eventually recreated and sold for a more reasonable price. You can find the same type of jewelry as the expensive designer pieces that appeal to you but at far lower cost from less well known brands.